Rock Candy Mountain #1 – Advance Review

by Fabienne Payet ·
Published February 24, 2017 · Updated February 24, 2017

Writer and art by Kyle Starks Colors by Chris Schweizer Design by Dylan Todd Published by Image Comics Inc.

Jackson a Hobo believes in the mythological Rock Candy Mountain and sets out to find it in a post-World War 2 America. But things on the road get tough. He will encounter many friend and foe along his journey. But he feels he will encounter more enemies than friends on his lonesome train rides across the vast open spaces. Will he ever make it to Rock Candy Mountain?

This is the first comic of Kyle Starks and it is quite something. Usually the first issue of a comic is generally used to set the tone for the forthcoming issues and character introduction. This comic does indeed cater to that but it also packs a punch in immediately setting the pace too. You know you are in for a rough ride and many explosive things are yet to come.

The back of the comic comes with an essay called Hobo Harmony: A History of Big Rock Candy Mountain by Eric Newsom, Ph.D. University of Central Missouri. A very interesting read if you are interested in knowing more about the background of the story as well as the history of hobos, hobo traditions and hobo lore. This is a true added value to the story.

The art is very bold, very out there, the color schemes are very pronounced. It really helps in telling the story and helping it move along.

The writing is clear and interesting. It dips in and out of the hobo lore of the time. It is quite interesting to see how the history of the time has been interwoven into the storyline. It is indeed somewhat based on the song “Big Rock Candy Mountain”. A song that speaks of an idyllic dreamland for hobos.

Do pick it up on April 5th, you will not regret it.

Do also check out our exclusive interview with Kyle Starks as he discusses what inspired him to write this story and where he sees it go in the future.